Reading and Writing in Science

Tools to Develop Disciplinary Literacy
Second Edition
Maria C. Grant - California State University, Fullerton, USA
Douglas Fisher - San Diego State University, USA
Diane K. Lapp - San Diego State University, USA
Reading and Writing in Science
January 2015 | 192 pages | Corwin
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eBook
ISBN: 9781483353555
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781483345680
Available from January 0001

Description

 Engage your students in scientific thinking across disciplines!

 

Did you know that scientists spend more than half of their time reading and writing? Students who are science literate can analyze, present, and defend data – both orally and in writing.

 

The updated edition of this bestseller offers strategies to link the new science standards with literacy expectations and specific ideas you can put to work right away. Features include:

 

  •   A discussion of how to use science to develop essential 21st century skills
  •   Instructional routines that help students become better writers
  •   Useful strategies for  using complex scientific texts in the classroom
  •   Tools to monitor student progress through formative assessment

 

When students are curious, they thrive. Give your students the strong base they need to create and share scientific ideas that have an impact in the classroom and beyond.

“This is a teacher-friendly book that drew me in from the introduction to the end. Through real-life scenarios combined with useful methods for instruction, it illustrates how science teachers can use language as a tool for teaching science.”
-Trina Allen, Science Content Specialist
Measurement Incorporated

 

“An eminently readable guide for the novice and experienced teacher. The many practical ideas in this volume demonstrate that improving students’ skills in reading and writing can also improve their understanding and ability in science.”

Cary Sneider, Associate Research Professor

Portland State University, Portland, OR

 

Contents

Introduction

Introduction

New to This Edition

New to This Edition

About the Authors

  • 1. Teaching Students to Think Like Scientists
  • How Well Are U.S. Students Doing in Science?
  • What Foundations Do We Need to Have in Place?
  • What Are the Features of Purposeful Science Instruction?
  • What Do Real-World Scientists Do?
  • 2. Knowing and Using Scientific Language to Communicate Like a Scientist
  • Language Is the Foundation for Learning
  • Using Language in Science
  • Connecting the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards
  • Next Generation Science Standards Support the Precision of Language Use
  • Science Instruction
  • Assess to Instruct: Developing Knowledge and Language
  • Fostering Independent Word Learning in Science
  • Word Play Promotes Increased Vocabulary Knowledge
  • 3. Reading Like a Scientist
  • Connecting the Next Generation Science Standards and the Common Core State Standards
  • Features That Make Texts Complex
  • Teaching Students to Read Science Texts
  • Collaborative Conversations Support Learning and Sharing Scientific Language and Concepts
  • The Connection Between Vocabulary and Reading Success
  • Why Teach Reading in Science?
  • 4. Writing Like a Scientist
  • Connecting the Common Core State Writing Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards
  • Writing Like a Scientist Is Different
  • WebQuest: Collecting Data for Writing
  • Writing Frames: Scaffolds for Scientific Writing
  • Teaching Scientific Phrasing
  • Writing Formats in Science
  • Writing Well-Supported Arguments
  • Why Learn to Write Like a Scientist?
  • 5. Assessing Student Learning in Science
  • The Purpose of Assessment in Science
  • Using Assessment Information
  • Identifying Literacy-Language Strengths and Needs
  • Creating Science Assessments
  • Final Thoughts About Assessment

References

References

Index

Index

Description

 Engage your students in scientific thinking across disciplines!

 

Did you know that scientists spend more than half of their time reading and writing? Students who are science literate can analyze, present, and defend data – both orally and in writing.

 

The updated edition of this bestseller offers strategies to link the new science standards with literacy expectations and specific ideas you can put to work right away. Features include:

 

  •   A discussion of how to use science to develop essential 21st century skills
  •   Instructional routines that help students become better writers
  •   Useful strategies for  using complex scientific texts in the classroom
  •   Tools to monitor student progress through formative assessment

 

When students are curious, they thrive. Give your students the strong base they need to create and share scientific ideas that have an impact in the classroom and beyond.

“This is a teacher-friendly book that drew me in from the introduction to the end. Through real-life scenarios combined with useful methods for instruction, it illustrates how science teachers can use language as a tool for teaching science.”
-Trina Allen, Science Content Specialist
Measurement Incorporated

 

“An eminently readable guide for the novice and experienced teacher. The many practical ideas in this volume demonstrate that improving students’ skills in reading and writing can also improve their understanding and ability in science.”

Cary Sneider, Associate Research Professor

Portland State University, Portland, OR

 

Contents

Introduction

Introduction

New to This Edition

New to This Edition

About the Authors

  • 1. Teaching Students to Think Like Scientists
  • How Well Are U.S. Students Doing in Science?
  • What Foundations Do We Need to Have in Place?
  • What Are the Features of Purposeful Science Instruction?
  • What Do Real-World Scientists Do?
  • 2. Knowing and Using Scientific Language to Communicate Like a Scientist
  • Language Is the Foundation for Learning
  • Using Language in Science
  • Connecting the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards
  • Next Generation Science Standards Support the Precision of Language Use
  • Science Instruction
  • Assess to Instruct: Developing Knowledge and Language
  • Fostering Independent Word Learning in Science
  • Word Play Promotes Increased Vocabulary Knowledge
  • 3. Reading Like a Scientist
  • Connecting the Next Generation Science Standards and the Common Core State Standards
  • Features That Make Texts Complex
  • Teaching Students to Read Science Texts
  • Collaborative Conversations Support Learning and Sharing Scientific Language and Concepts
  • The Connection Between Vocabulary and Reading Success
  • Why Teach Reading in Science?
  • 4. Writing Like a Scientist
  • Connecting the Common Core State Writing Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards
  • Writing Like a Scientist Is Different
  • WebQuest: Collecting Data for Writing
  • Writing Frames: Scaffolds for Scientific Writing
  • Teaching Scientific Phrasing
  • Writing Formats in Science
  • Writing Well-Supported Arguments
  • Why Learn to Write Like a Scientist?
  • 5. Assessing Student Learning in Science
  • The Purpose of Assessment in Science
  • Using Assessment Information
  • Identifying Literacy-Language Strengths and Needs
  • Creating Science Assessments
  • Final Thoughts About Assessment

References

References

Index

Index

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Reading and Writing in Science

Tools to Develop Disciplinary Literacy


January 2015 | 192 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781483345680 $37.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781483353555 $35.00

 Engage your students in scientific thinking across disciplines!

 

Did you know that scientists spend more than half of their time reading and writing? Students who are science literate can analyze, present, and defend data – both orally and in writing.

 

The updated edition of this bestseller offers strategies to link the new science standards with literacy expectations and specific ideas you can put to work right away. Features include:

 

  •   A discussion of how to use science to develop essential 21st century skills
  •   Instructional routines that help students become better writers
  •   Useful strategies for  using complex scientific texts in the classroom
  •   Tools to monitor student progress through formative assessment

 

When students are curious, they thrive. Give your students the strong base they need to create and share scientific ideas that have an impact in the classroom and beyond.

“This is a teacher-friendly book that drew me in from the introduction to the end. Through real-life scenarios combined with useful methods for instruction, it illustrates how science teachers can use language as a tool for teaching science.”
-Trina Allen, Science Content Specialist
Measurement Incorporated

 

“An eminently readable guide for the novice and experienced teacher. The many practical ideas in this volume demonstrate that improving students’ skills in reading and writing can also improve their understanding and ability in science.”

Cary Sneider, Associate Research Professor

Portland State University, Portland, OR

 


Table Of Contents:

  • Introduction
  • New to This Edition
  • About the Authors
  • 1. Teaching Students to Think Like Scientists
  • How Well Are U.S. Students Doing in Science?
  • What Foundations Do We Need to Have in Place?
  • What Are the Features of Purposeful Science Instruction?
  • What Do Real-World Scientists Do?
  • 2. Knowing and Using Scientific Language to Communicate Like a Scientist
  • Language Is the Foundation for Learning
  • Using Language in Science
  • Connecting the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards
  • Next Generation Science Standards Support the Precision of Language Use
  • Science Instruction
  • Assess to Instruct: Developing Knowledge and Language
  • Fostering Independent Word Learning in Science
  • Word Play Promotes Increased Vocabulary Knowledge
  • 3. Reading Like a Scientist
  • Connecting the Next Generation Science Standards and the Common Core State Standards
  • Features That Make Texts Complex
  • Teaching Students to Read Science Texts
  • Collaborative Conversations Support Learning and Sharing Scientific Language and Concepts
  • The Connection Between Vocabulary and Reading Success
  • Why Teach Reading in Science?
  • 4. Writing Like a Scientist
  • Connecting the Common Core State Writing Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards
  • Writing Like a Scientist Is Different
  • WebQuest: Collecting Data for Writing
  • Writing Frames: Scaffolds for Scientific Writing
  • Teaching Scientific Phrasing
  • Writing Formats in Science
  • Writing Well-Supported Arguments
  • Why Learn to Write Like a Scientist?
  • 5. Assessing Student Learning in Science
  • The Purpose of Assessment in Science
  • Using Assessment Information
  • Identifying Literacy-Language Strengths and Needs
  • Creating Science Assessments
  • Final Thoughts About Assessment
  • References
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

“The authors of Reading and Writing in Science bring together expertise in Next Generation Science Standards, English language arts, and excellent teaching methods to produce an eminently readable guide for the novice and experienced teacher. Teachers who wish to teach science while improving their students’ reading and writing skills will find a wealth of practical ideas in this volume. The many practical ideas in this volume demonstrate that improving students’ skills in reading and writing can also improve their understanding and abilities in science.”
Cary Sneider, Associate Research Professor, Portland State University, Portland, OR
"Reading and Writing in Science is a teacher friendly book that drew me in from the introduction to the end. Through real life scenarios combined with useful methods for instruction, it illustrates how science teachers can use language as a tool for teaching science."
Trina Allen, Science Content Specialist, Measurement Incorporated
The real strength of the book is the almost equal weighting given to the four strands of literacy; oral, aural, reading and writing. This provides a useful prompt for the reader to go beyond the obvious when incorporating a greater literacy focus into their curriculum.
Kristy Turner, Education in Chemistry

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